Australia have finished their warm-up games quota by winning both their matches. In today's practice match against Sri Lanka, Australia proved to be a far better side as they beat the islanders by 5 wickets. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. However, they could only manage 239/8 on the board as Australian spinners put up a stellar show.
Australia lost early wickets in reply, but Usman Khawaja played the role of an anchor with his 89 runs knock. He was helped by Marsh and Stoinis and Australia reached the target with ease. Sri Lanka have lost both their practice games.
Usman Khawaja dismissed after a brilliant 89. One would say that he missed out on a century. But this innings was proof of his calibre and form. Khawaja was out stumped bowled by Vandersay. Usman Khawaja st M Perera b Vandersay 89 (105 Balls)
Australia have completed their 200 in the 37th over. However, Marcus Stoinis has been dismissed. But Usman Khawaja is going great guns as Australia approach victory. The Sri Lankan bowlers started well but have come across the Khawaja wall.
Australia are cruising comfortably. Though they have lost Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja is playing a vital knock to keep Australia on course. However, can Sri Lanka stage a comeback?
Australia are 96/2 in 20 overs. Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh have been dismissed. Usman Khawaja and Glenn Maxwell are on the crease. Australia need 240 runs to win.
Australia begin their chase. Skipper Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja open the batting for Australia. Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal open the bowling for Sri Lanka.
So then, Sri Lanka managed to score 239/8 in 50 overs. Australia need 240 runs to win the match. Though Sri Lanka got off to a good start, the Australian spinners stopped the islanders from scoring too many and picked wickets at regular intervals. But Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera staged a fightback to take Sri Lanka past 200. Sri Lanka managed 239/8 and now have to defend the total to win the practice match.
Sri Lanka have last two overs to go. They will be eying 250. However, with Perera back in the pavillion, it seems unlikely. But Dhananjaya de Silva is still out there.
Pat Cummins comes back to bowl and picks a wicket on the very first ball. Thisara Perera looks to up the scoring rate but ends up holing up to the man at deep midwicket. Perera put up an important partnership with Dhananjaya de Silva and added up vital 64 runs.
Richardson taken for 11 runs in the 46th over. He has proved costly, giving more than 10 runs per over. Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera are playing a useful hand here.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera take Sri Lanka forward. The duo have taken Sri Lanka past 200. Good fightback from the Sri Lankan batsmen. Australia will try to contain the runs.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera take Sri Lanka forward. The duo have taken Sri Lanka past 200. Good fightback from the Sri Lankan batsmen. Australia will try to contain the runs.
Mitchell Starc keeping the batsmen on toes. The tall pacer is bowling some killing bouncers and one even hit the helmet. Sri Lanka still struggling to accelerate.
Last ten overs to go. Must say the spinners have done a great job for Australia. Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Maxwell and Smith, all four have picked up wickets as Sri Lanka struggle to get even past 200.
As we enter the second last day of the warm-up matches stage in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the contests get more exciting as teams look to finish things on a high before they proceed to the actual matches. In today's contest, Australia takes on Sri Lanka on Monday, May 27, in Match 7 of warm-up games stag. The venue is Southampton and the match is scheduled to begin at 03:00 PM (IST). However, the fortunes of Australia and Sri Lanka could not be different coming into this practice game. Australia vs Sri Lanka Cricket Score 7th Warm-up ODI Match.
While Australia won their practice match against host England at Southhampton on May 25, Sri Lanka lost their opening warm-up game to South Africa on May 24. The match between Australia and England went to the last over with Australia winning the game by 12 runs as they held their nerves in the ending stages of the match. The good news for Australia is that Steve Smith looks fluent with the bat, as he scored a match-winning 116 against England. Marcus Stoinis's performance in the death overs will give confidence to Australia as well.
As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, the island nation faced a heavy defeat at the hands of South Africa at Cardiff in their first practice match. First Sri Lankan bowlers failed to stop the South Africa batting line-up as the Proteas put up 338/7 on the board. Chasing the target, Sri Lanka never looked in control of the match and were all out for 251, losing the match by 87 runs.
Sri Lanka is also facing problems off the ground as Mahela Jayawardhene rejected the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Board's offer to play a management/counselling role. However, putting all that behind, Dimuth Karunaratne and company will look for a victory to boost their morale going into the actual World Cup matches. On the other hand, Aaron Finch's team will look to keep up the winning momentum by trying to win this game.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 27, 2019 02:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).